The Legislature's school grading system has drawn a lot of fire. Will it help or hurt Utah's public schools?

Pignanelli: "Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths pure theatre." — Gail Godwin Hey guys, thanks a bunch. The newfangled school grading caused a night of turmoil at the Pignanelli household (we have enough mayhem already). My daughter's high school received an "F" and my sons' middle school was awarded an "A." This led to hours of "my school is better than yours" and "the stupid test doesn't mean anything because you're still ugly" and so on. Then the focus was on me to support the insults or compliments of the grades. I strained all my political resources of dodging and weaving (which never fool teenagers anyway) and retreated with the excuse that something in the garage required my attention.

After the combatants went to bed, I tried to discern the meaning and impact of the grades. As with thousands of parents whose children are enrolled in a school that received a less than commendable rating, I am unsure about the effect on my child and what I can do about it. Further, a bell curve was used (which I hated in college — unless I got an "A"). Lawmakers' desire to develop stronger accountability in public schools is commendable, especially in regards to graduation rates for Utah minority populations. But the missing component is how families can improve or maintain quality by utilizing the evaluations.

Webb: It's impossible to take into account all the individual characteristics of a school and the diverse challenges it faces. So no grading system is going to be ideal or entirely fair. Lawmakers want to work with educators to make the system better.

But some in the school community dramatically overreacted as the grades were published, attacking the entire concept and mounting an organized public relations campaign to incite families to rebel against school grading. But most people accepted the grades with a shrug, and few parents were scandalized if their school received a low grade. Wise school officials will use the grades as motivation to do better. The reality is we all are graded, formally or informally, in many areas of our lives — in school, by an employer or by the marketplace. Let's make school grading work right and assist schools that need help.

The federal Justice Department has declined to prosecute Attorney General John Swallow. Where does that leave the other investigations?

Pignanelli: Many lawmakers remain concerned that the public has lost confidence in the attorney general because of perceived ethical lapses, which will drive the House inquiries. The legal community — especially prosecutors — understand that the attorney general and his predecessor may not have broken any federal laws but are disturbed about the admitted conduct by the state's top law enforcement officials. The general public doesn't want money spent on the matter but senses there were problems. All this will continue to foster investigations by the Salt Lake and Davis County attorneys.

Webb: I wish the Legislature would have waited for the other investigations to be completed before jumping into this messy affair. The inquiry is going to be lengthy, expensive and unpredictable. Most people close to the situation assumed Swallow would resign given the pressure of all the investigations. He did not do so, and certainly will not resign now, especially with the feds declining to prosecute. The Legislature ought to put its investigation on hold, see what the remaining investigations uncover and then decide whether to proceed.

The Republican Party is sharply divided, both in Utah and nationally, between the mainstream establishment and the tea party firebrands. Nationally, the schism is manifest in the battle to defund Obamacare and possibly shut down the government. Is Ronald Reagan's Republican "big tent" collapsing?

Pignanelli: Debates over the degree of hatred for Obamacare and arguments regarding nominee selection are minor blips soon forgotten. There are bigger issues for the GOP "big tent" — which is getting roomier every election cycle. Increasing numbers of Americans who are not white heterosexual males feel unwelcome. Republican intransigence against changing demographics is unhealthy for our democracy.

Webb: Tea party conservatives and mainstream conservatives (like myself) agree on broad goals: low taxes, limited government, pro-growth/free-market policies, better federalism balance, and control of deficits and entitlement spending. But we often differ on tactics, and I fear the right wing of the party is hurting the cause of conservatism as much as helping it.

We can't achieve our goals unless we govern. And to govern we have to win elections. Tea party conservatives are alienating independents and moderates whose votes are needed to win elections. If only purist conservative ideologues are allowed inside the tent, we're in trouble.

As conservative commentator Michael Medved wrote: "… there is no glory in charging recklessly up a hill when you know your forces will be mowed down by enemy fire before reaching the top. Glory comes in making the enemy lose. The GOP shouldn't pursue noble defeat while standing on principle." Amen.

Republican LaVarr Webb is a political consultant and lobbyist. Previously he was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. Email: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as minority leader. His spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a state tax commissioner. Email: frankp@xmission.com.

Popular Comments

The school grading law simplifies a complex issue. There are currently six
different accountability reports for public schools including School Improvement
Plans, UCAS, and now school grading.The truth is that this is a failed
system. It is
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6:29 a.m. Sept. 29, 2013

Top comment

RWSmith6

Providence, UT

The grading of schools is yet another attempt by the legislature to improve K-12
by intimidation rather than what has for years been needed in Utah--long-term
planning for the geometric population growth we're into and the
development of a
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12:50 p.m. Sept. 29, 2013

Top comment

Utah Dem

Ogden, UT

Webb did you seriously write - "Lawmakers want to work with educators to
make the system better."? Then why didn't they work with a educators
when creating this bill?

Republican LaVarr Webb is a political consultant and lobbyist. Previously he was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. Email: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake more ..